Pot holder

ABSTRACT

A figurine is provided which includes a body portion, an opening, and a plurality of appendages. The opening in the body portion is configured to secure a container. The plurality of appendages are extending distally from the body portion and configured to stabilize the figurine. The body portion and the plurality of appendages include a ductile core and a flexible protective covering. The figurine is configured to plastically deform in response to moderate bending force that is within the capabilities of an average human. The figurine is configured to have less than 5% springback.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/905,614, filed on Nov. 18, 2013, titled “Pot Holder,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a pot holder. More particularly, the present invention relates to an anthropomorphic figurine that is able to be posed and retain a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally know that containers, such as flower pots, are relatively unstable when subjected to wind and/or when holding large plants. To rectify this, containers are typically placed in larger containers that may include rocks or other weighty object at the bottom. While this conventional solution suffices in some instances, the large containers are not always appropriate and require storage or disposal when not in use.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a container holder that is capable of overcoming the disadvantages described herein at least to some extent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in some embodiments a container holder is provided.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a figurine which includes a body portion, an opening, and a plurality of appendages. The opening in the body portion is configured to secure a container. The plurality of appendages are extending distally from the body portion and configured to stabilize the figurine. The body portion and the plurality of appendages include a ductile core and a flexible protective covering. The figurine is configured to plastically deform in response to moderate bending force that is within the capabilities of an average human. The figurine is configured to have less than 5% springback.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a figurine in a suitable pose according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the figurine according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.

FIG. 3 is another isometric view of the figurine according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.

FIG. 4 is yet another isometric view of the figurine according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.

FIG. 5 is yet another isometric view of the figurine according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.

FIG. 6 is yet another isometric view of the figurine according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.

FIG. 7 is yet another isometric view of the figurine according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a figurine according to another embodiment of the invention holding a suitable container.

FIG. 9 another isometric view of the figurine according to FIG. 8 holding a suitable container.

FIG. 10 is yet another isometric view of the figurine according to FIG. 8 holding a suitable container.

FIG. 11 an isometric view of the figurine according to FIG. 8 holding a suitable container.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the figurine according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the figurine according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the figurine according to FIG. 1.

FIGS. 15A-15H are plan views of pre-cut and coated metal blanks for the figurine according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 16A-16J are plan views of pre-cut and coated metal blanks for the figurine according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in some embodiments, a figurine anthropomorphic figure, and/or accompanying articles for same that may be manipulated and otherwise posed to retain or secure any suitable container. In general, the figurine includes a ductile portion that is configured to plastically deform in response to moderate bending force that is within the capabilities of an average human. In this manner and as shown herein, this plastic deformation allows a user to personalize the figurine and accommodate containers on flat, angled, and/or varied surfaces.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a figurine 10 in a suitable pose according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the figurine 10 is a stylized anthropomorphic figure having a body 12, a head 14, a pair of arms 16, and a pair of legs 18. The body 12 may be stylized to include an opening 20 in any suitable geometric shape such as a rectangle, square, circle, triangle, star, heart, ovoid, and the like. In general, the opening 20 is sized and shaped to accommodate a container. In a particular example, the opening 20 is sized and shaped to accommodate a flower or garden pot. The head 14 may include a circular or animal head outline. The arms 16 include a pair of respective hands 22 or other such extremity, with each hand 22 having associated fingers 24 or toes, claws, hooves, or the like.

Also shown in FIG. 1, the figurine 10, is configured to be posed in any suitable manner. In the particular example shown, the figurine 10 is posed to receive a container. As disclosed herein, to provide this ability to be posed, the figurine 10 includes a plastically deformable material that is configured to deform in response to moderate bending force that is within the capabilities of an average human. It is an advantage of this ability to be posed that the figurine 10 is suitable for use as a plant stand/stabilizer. That is, by positioning appendages of the figurine 10 such as the arms 16 and/or legs 18 distally from a center of the figurine 10, a base of the figurine 10 is enlarged. In addition to the enlarged base, the figurine 10 may optionally include slots 26 configured to receive stakes or other such securing devices (e.g., string, nails, screws, etc.).

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the figurine 10 according to FIG. 1 in a suitable pose which includes a suitable container 30. As shown in FIG. 2, a particular example of the container 30 includes a pot such as a flower or plant pot. More generally, the container 30 may include any suitable object. Examples of suitable objects include: cups; bowls; balls; globes; and the like.

It is another advantage that the amount of stability provided by the figurine 10 may be modified. For example, if it is anticipated that the container 30 will be subject to potentially strong winds or the occasional bump from someone passing by, the base of the figurine may be enlarged by spreading the arms 16 and/or legs 18 further out. Alternatively, if the need for less stability is anticipated, the arms 16 and/or legs 18 may be moved further in. In this manner, the figurine 10 may be made to fit in a smaller space such as a window ledge or the like.

FIGS. 3-7 are other isometric views of the figurine 10 according to FIG. 1 holding a suitable container 30. As shown in FIGS. 3-7, the figurines 10 may include any suitable animal or other such form. Examples of suitable forms include plants, animals, objects, and the like. In addition, the figurines 10 may be posed to accommodate uneven and/or sloped surfaces. For example, the leg 18 and/or arm 16 may be raised or lowered to accommodate a rock or divot, for example. In another example, the figurine 10 may be posed on separate steps of a set of stairs, a ladder, or the like. It is an advantage of various embodiments that these figurines 10 that in addition to providing support the container 10, the figurines 10 may be personalized by positioning the arms, legs, heads, wings, etc. in different and unique ways.

FIGS. 8-11 are isometric views of the figurine 10 according to another embodiment of the invention holding a suitable container 30. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the figurines 10 may not include arms or feet, but rather, may facilitate container stability by providing sufficient weight. That is, due to the figurine 10 including a metal such as steel, the figurine 10 adds weight to the container 30 and so, reduces the likelihood of the container being blown over. In addition, by virtue of the various appendages of the figurine 10, if the container 30 is blown or otherwise knocked over, it is less likely that the container 30 will roll around. In this way, damage to the plant or container may be reduced.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are front views of the figurine 10 according to FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the figurine 10 may be initially formed or bent back into a flat conformation. It is an advantage of this attribute that the figurine 10 may be ‘flat packed’ to reduce shipping and storage volume. It is another advantage of the figurine 10 that it may be formed, die cut, or stamped from sheet products such as sheet steel. Also shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is that the figurine 10 may include more than one opening 20 suitable to accommodate the same or differently sized/shaped containers 30. In this manner, one figurine 10 may accommodate more than one container 30.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the figurine 10 according to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 14, the figurine 10 includes a core 50 and a coating 52. The core 50 may include a suitable ductile, malleable, or plastically deformable material. Examples of suitable materials for the core 50 include metals, plastics, putties, composites such as fiber reinforced plastics and papers, and the like. In a particular example, the core 50 includes an iron, a steel or steel alloy that is easily bent by an average human. Once bent, the core 50 is configured to retain the bend with minimal (less than 5%) springback. In this regard, the term “springback” refers to the tendency of many materials to return to an original shape after being urged into a new shape. In order to provide a user with the ability to pose the figurine into a desired pose, it is important to reduce the tendency to spring back.

The coating 52 includes any suitable flexible material. Examples of suitable materials for the coating 52 include rubbers, plastics, other polymers, mixtures and layers of polymers, paints, and the like. In a particular example, the coating 52 includes a polyurea coating. More particularly, the coating 52 includes M 25 coatings manufactured by Titus, Inc. of Plymouth, Ind. 46563 U.S.A. In some examples, the coating 52 is operable to provide a protective coating for the core 50. For example, the coating 52 may provide protection from moisture, corrosive chemicals, oxygen, and the like. In this manner, a relatively inexpensive ductile steel alloy may be protected from rusting in an outdoor environment. In addition, the coating 52 may include a colorant or coloring agents such as dyes, pigments, and the like.

In another embodiment, the coating 52 may include a polyurea coating manufactured by Ultimate Linings of Houston Tex. 77041. It has been found that this polyurea coating provides a surprisingly better, longer lasting and better looking protection of the core 52. It is a surprising and unexpected advantage of this polyurea coating material that the coating 52 may be made significantly thinner without adversely affecting its ability to protect the core 50.

FIGS. 15A-15H are plan views of pre-cut and coated metal blanks for the figurine 10 according to FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 15A-15H, the figurines 10 are initially flat which greatly aids in shipping density and reducing costs associated with storage. Prior to or after being sold to a customer, the figurines 10 may be folded into a conformation suitable to provide support for the container 30 as shown in FIGS. 2-11.

FIG. 16A-16J are plan views of pre-cut and coated metal blanks for the figurine 10 according to FIG. 1.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A figurine comprising: a body portion; an opening in the body portion configured to secure a container; a plurality of appendages extending distally from the body portion and configured to stabilize the figurine; and wherein the body portion and the plurality of appendages include: a ductile core; and a flexible protective polyurea coating, the figurine is configured to plastically deform in response to moderate bending force that is within the capabilities of an average human, wherein the figurine is configured to have less than 5% springback.
 2. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the appendages are configured to stabilize the figurine by providing an enlarged base.
 3. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the appendages are configured to stabilize the figurine by providing increased weight for the container.
 4. The figurine according to claim 1, further comprising: a second opening.
 5. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the figurine is initially flat.
 6. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the core includes a metal.
 7. The figurine according to claim 6, wherein the core includes a steel alloy.
 8. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the coating a polymer.
 9. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the coating includes a polyurea coating.
 10. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the coating includes a colorant. 